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What type of lubricant goes in a Vanagon gearbox?
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:57 am    Post subject: What type of lubricant goes in a Vanagon gearbox? Reply with quote

I have a 1990 2wd vanagon, what type of lubricant goes in the gearbox?
thanks
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borninabus
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 10:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

assuming its a manual: 80w90 hypoid gear oil.
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 10:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

There is a lot of discussion about this. The most important aspect is a GL4 oil

Sweepco is highly recommended, otherwise stick with a GL4 80-90 weight Hypoid gear oil. It must not be a GL5! GL5 has additives that are harsh on the yellow metals in the gearbox. Like Bronze.

Also, many say do not use Redline MT synthetic either.

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PostPosted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 10:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

If it is an automatic trans-axle..use GL-5..its recommended by VW. If a manual gearbox..GL-4
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insyncro
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 10:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Swepco is my choice for the manuals.
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Timwhy
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 11:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I put in synthetic gear oil in mine.
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 11:05 am    Post subject: gear oil Reply with quote

insyncro wrote:
Swepco is my choice for the manuals.
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 11:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Eight sticks of butter.
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 11:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I bought a rebuilt manual transaxle for my 85 from Rancho and put NAPA GL-4 in it and had problems with it not shifting correctly in 1st and second and also seemed to be getting too hot. Mike at Rancho sent me 4 qts of LAT/Lubeatech 80/90 and after changing it out have no more shifting or heat issues.
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Skip Laubach
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 11:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

May I elicit opinions regarding use of Lucas 80W-90 (exceeds GL-4 and GL-5) and/or Royal Purple Max-Gear 75W-90 (also exceeds GL-4 and GL-5) for '84 manual?

Perhaps either is "OK", but for any reason would prior-posts-mentioned products be preferred?

Thanks.
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 11:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Skip Laubach wrote:
May I elicit opinions regarding use of Lucas 80W-90 (exceeds GL-4 and GL-5) and/or Royal Purple Max-Gear 75W-90 (also exceeds GL-4 and GL-5) for '84 manual?

Perhaps either is "OK", but for any reason would prior-posts-mentioned products be preferred?

Thanks.


There is some confusion and marketing junk concerning gear oil. GL-4 is not an older or obsolete API specification replaced by GL-5. GL-5 is not "better" than GL-4.

GL-4 gear oil has less sulfur and some other additives that can damage "soft metals" like bronze or copper. Many manual gearboxes use brass/bronze syncros. That is why GL-4 is specified. GL-4 has more friction modifiers to help with hot lubrication. It is used on most modern manual transmissions.

GL-5 has a very robust sulfur/zinc additive package that works well with all steel and "hard" metals. It can be formulated without being concerned with damage to "soft metals". It works well in the all steel trans-axle like our automatic Vanagons, rear end differentials and Porsche 915 manual gearboxes.

When a bottle of gear oil says "exceeds GL-4 and GL-5", that is just nonsense. I would avoid those products. Probably just GL-4 with a load of friction modifiers.

Find a gear oil that meets the API spec and says so: GL-4 or GL-5, plain and simple. Swepco is an excellent gear oil. Hard to find. Any name brand synthetic would work too.

Do not use a gear oil that is labeled for "limited slip" differentials. They use a different formulation for the friction plates in a LS diff. Won't hurt anything, but you can do better.

The Vanagon manual gearbox spec is GL-4 or automatic diff is GL-5. Use the right lube with confidence.
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outwesty
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 12:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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PostPosted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 12:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

xoo00oox wrote:
Eight sticks of butter.

I think this forum needs a like button.
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insyncro
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 12:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

xoo00oox wrote:
Eight sticks of butter.


Now that's brilliant Andrew.

The smell of gear oil makes me want to puke.

I'm picturing Homer Simpson under a vehicle drinking all the used buttery fluid coming out during a service.....uummmm....buttery fluid....num num num Laughing
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Glenn Premium Member
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 12:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Please use the existing topic on gear lubes and GL4 vs GL5.

GL 4 or GL 5 - "Official Gear Lube Topic"
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